Archive for 2020|Yearly archive page

This is how four writers pass the time (and stay connected) during their isolation. We realize we’ve slipped a bit from stories into conversation in 6-word increments; we’re giving ourselves grace given the circumstance. Join us by adding your 6-word stories in the comments.

This is how four writers pass the time (and stay connected) during their isolation. We realize we’ve slipped a bit from stories into conversation in 6-word increments; we’re giving ourselves grace given the circumstance. Join us by adding your 6-word stories in the comments.

This is how four writers pass the time (and stay connected) during their isolation. We realize we’ve slipped a bit from stories into conversation in 6-word increments; we’re giving ourselves grace given the circumstance. Join us by adding your 6-word stories in the comments.

Trying to get through the day.Writers are important. Just reminding us.Bodhi’s exuberance is a daily tonic.My husband’s good cheer saves me.Buy eye makeup stock (masked future)!Dwindling: senses of humor and outrage.Actually, George, May’s the cruelest month.I really need to hug. Everyone.Wear same jeans how many days?Same 20 in wallet for weeks.Like an old woman, I reminisce.I’d rather sit in the sun.Why does she need these clothes?She bakes, overnights a loaf of love.The 24-hour tee gets open-ended extension.Hyphens gettin’ swole from six-word workouts.Her car: “Have I offended you?”Lord. We’ll never get beyond this.Gretchen gets some ink in it…Without structure, imagination makes a home.Her country has let her down.On Mother’s Day, she hugs herself.Mom’s coming to dinner. Good? Bad?Reading: “As bombs fell, libidos soared.”“Are you still watching?” Stop judging.

This is how four writers pass the time (and stay connected) during their isolation. We realize we’ve slipped a bit from stories into conversation in 6-word increments; we’re giving ourselves grace given the circumstance. Join us by adding your 6-word stories in the comments.

This is how four writers pass the time (and stay connected) during their isolation. We realize we’ve slipped a bit from stories into conversation in 6-word increments; we’re giving ourselves grace given the circumstance. Join us by adding your 6-word stories in the comments.

Going nowhere, more slowly than ever.The world is in a chrysalis.Every day’s stumper: What’s for lunch?Awake half the night solving—nothing.Having good days requires sheer willpower.Coveting my kids’ weather. Also youth.Outdated reminder: Pack for Austin trip.“Dr. Death” distracts from real thing.Minecraft elbow. The pain is real.Plumb out of six-word stories.Swapped Bogs for wellies. That’s something.Apparently we eat lots of granola.Finished my stash-busting corona cardigan.Resourcefulness ceases to deliver same satisfaction.Knitting is easier than not sleeping.Absence makes the heart grow weary.Puts on a dress. Doesn’t help.Cowboy boots will make the difference.A little sunshine would be nice.Governor’s new guidelines: bikeshops not bookstores.Every day, exciting to be Bodhi.NYTimes trades “Travel” for “At Home.”Is skinny-dipping in tub even possible?Perhaps it’s a matter of intent?Attitude. It’s a matter of attitude.Today the day to stay abed?Speaking for me: healthy, so fine.“Happy are the kind and compassionate.”Something interesting almost happened, then didn’t.Meditation: sew masks while watching church.Car battery dead. No matter. Seriously.In the woods, everything’s all right.Dandelions doing well. Foraging in future?Watching spring unfurl before my eyes.Brene, we’re all at 20 percent.Missing everything, everyone; screens are inadequate.Bodhi, doe pointed at each other.

This is how four writers pass the time (and stay connected) during their isolation. We realize we’ve slipped a bit from stories into conversation in 6-word increments; we’re giving ourselves grace given the circumstance. Join us by adding your 6-word stories in the comments.

This is how four writers pass the time (and stay connected) during their isolation. We realize we’ve slipped a bit from stories into conversation in 6-word increments; we’re giving ourselves grace given the circumstance. Join us by adding your 6-word stories in the comments.

“What about a–“ “I ate that.”Sold out: jigsaw puzzles and yeast.Still biting my nails; tempting fate?Fear makes our lives shrink, shrivel.Lorna walks by, waves via text.Friendship via text is not enough.Somehow, I’m preoccupied with my hair.Home cooking is survival, but boring.I’m actually enjoying creative pantry exploitation.You’re my idol. I eat crackers.Meijers: she can’t stop him shopping.Week three snowed in. No snow.News flash: people are overusing bleach.What’s that smell? Ohhh. It’s me.Prime deliveries delayed: TP, detergent, pistachios.I’m wearing actual shoes. Proud moment.Discovered TikTok. Damn, people! You creative!“Yum! I love a mud pie.”“Rush hour”–walking in the street.At three, Hazel knows social distance.Hopefully, children will forget this era.Who knew loneliness could save others?Another colleague just taken off respirator.Best at gazing at to-do lists.Friends’ teens ditch screens for Monopoly.Son, now furloughed, tries for sanguinity.Lost power briefly. That would suck.Power’s out. What could be next?I find I quite like electricity.Maundy Thursday and so much hate.I miss being reckless about cleaning.She lies to others, to herself.Even lying, your honesty is admirable.Puzzle arrived. Must I work today?It depends. Is the puzzle work?A puzzle is worse than work.A puzzle takes over your life.Zero interest. Entire world is puzzle.Yesterday, six words were too many.Some days it’s enough to sit.And humor is a (frayed) lifeline.Mood: The sky’s falling/not falling.Sun is deceptive, wind spooky loud.Getting little curls around my ears.“Popcorn is dinner; don’t judge me.”Someday will eat someone else’s cooking.Week Four’s end, we fall silent.Small moments of joy seem scarce.Living in the moment feels eternal.(Tomorrow may be better; still hopeful)Minecraft world: she adopts a cat.Found: some six word small joys:A kiss is still a kiss.New moss still feels like velvet.Croissants in the freezer; oh, boy!Why pay bills when time’s stopped?Squirrel filches no-bakes, leaves rolls untouched.She needs to see the lake.About 750 pieces of 1,000 today.“They are going through the unimaginable.”Minecraft world: building a family compound.One woman, 1,000 pieces, 44 hours.Don’t let me start another one.Lois, I am here for you.Phones no longer verboten during meals.Into week four, resigned but hopeful.Son: “Careful or you’ll lose it.”ALL CAPS IS NORMAL—HEALTHY!—RN

This is how four writers pass the time (and stay connected) during their isolation. Join us by adding your 6-word stories in the comments.

Striped pajamas look like prison garb.First rule of coronavirus: Get dressed.On her checklist: Make another checklist.During week two she downloads Minecraft.“If we’re going to live together…”Baked three dozen cookies. Uh oh.Baked six perfect cookies. Only six.Lockdown is no time for Luddites.Hated social media; now seems poignant.New exercise routine: bouncing off walls.Kiss dying aunt through a mask.Long walk to mailbox yields disappointment.Mom forgot about the virus again.Schitts Creek, because we’re up it.Finished the mini marshmallows. What’s next?Dad’s 85th birthday party via iPhone.Cemetery run: the dead don’t cough.She’s staying busy growing her hair.Laundry day! She has a mission.Need granola two days early. Snacker!New diet: too stressed to eat.Doctor friends are updating their wills.So excited to see mail truck!Madeline’s birthday; we FaceTime group hug.She cannot believe it’s still March.Writing, we forgo articles, add colons.Forlorn, Dad asks, “Where’s my family?”Separated by distance, united in grief.Sober silver lining: no school shootings.Screen addicted teens miss real contact.Made some cookies. Chocolate at last!(Recipe only makes 12, thank heavens.)Deafening peepers: Check for open windows.New best friend: Heather Cox Richardson.Shouldering fear and sadness, she runs.Bryan dropped donuts at back door.I want Bryan for my friend.Times crossword: it must be Sunday.Stress points: safety guidelines and playlist.Brad misses Nixon, “garden variety terrible.”(The bar is so very low.)

Anthropologists use the Latin word communitas to talk about the intense fellowship experienced by people moving together through a rite of passage, a transition from one life stage to another. The small group of women whose stories appear here had a taste of communitas as writers for Jugglezine, an online ... Continue reading →